Tatoosh Ridge

An moderate out-and-back or one way hike that traverses lovely flower-filled meadows and ridges with broad views of Mount Rainier on the way to an lakes and an old lookout site.

getting there

Forest Road 5270 (north)

From SR 12 at the east end of Packwood, turn north onto Skate Creek Road. Drive 4 miles and turn right (north) onto Forest Road 5270 and continue 7 miles to the trailhead (2,900 ft).

Forest Road 5290 (south)

From SR 12 at the east end of Packwood, turn north onto Skate Creek Road. Drive 0.7 mile and turn right on Cannon Road. Drive on pavement for 4.3 miles and then 0.8 mile on rutted dirt road (unsigned Forest Road 5290). Turn left at the three-way intersection, in 2 miles turn right, and in another 1.2 miles reach the trailhead (2,300 ft).

on the trail

tatoosh ridge (saddle at 5,800 ft)

The Tatoosh Trail runs 9.3 miles between Forest Roads 5270 and 5290. A few trips are possible plus added side trips to Tatoosh Lakes and Tatoosh Peak with an old lookout site.

From Forest Road 5270 to the saddle at 5,800 ft, it's 8.4 miles round trip with 3,400 feet of elevation gain.

From Forest Road 5290 to the saddle at 5,800 ft, it's 10.2 miles round trip with 4,000 feet of elevation gain.

A one-way trip from Forest Road 5270 to Forest Road 5290 is 9.3 miles with 3,400 feet of elevation gain, and 3,500 feet of elevation loss.

tatoosh peak (6,310 ft)

A side trip to Tatoosh Peak with an old lookout site, now just bits of metal and concrete, is an added 1.4 miles and 510 feet of elevation gain.

Tatoosh lakes (5,200 ft)

A side trip to Tatoosh Lakes is an added 1.4 miles and 750 feet of elevation gain.